Mets’ Yoenis Cespedes breaks out of slump, but raises red flags on defense

The Mets' $110 million Cuban slugger sported blue hair Wednesday and was slotted in the cleanup spot for the first time this season, the latter a decision manager Terry Collins made to try and get Yoenis Cespedes out of his recent hitting slump.

"I thought maybe putting somebody in front of him (Jay Bruce), getting some guys on, putting some protection behind him (Lucas Duda), just wanted to change it up a little bit, see if we can get (Cespedes) going," said Collins before the Mets beat the Cardinals 7-3.

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But while Cespedes' bat awoke Wednesday night when he went 2-for-4 with two runs scored and two RBI, there were small red flags raised with the left fielder's defensive performance.

In the third inning, the Cardinals got their first hit of the game, a Magneuris Sierra shallow bloop to left that was catchable. But Cespedes barely made an effort to get to the ball, and it dropped for a base hit. Three batters later, Cespedes got on his horse and raced to left center to snag a Tommy Pham liner, although Cespedes nearly overran the drive before corralling the ball in his glove.

Yoenis Cespedes went 2-for-4 with two RBI and two runs scored Wednesday. (Mike Stobe/Getty Images)

Cespedes sat out Sunday's game against the Rockies because he limped off Citi Field Saturday after making a diving attempt to catch a ball and injuring his hip on the play. Cespedes already had a disabled list stint earlier this season when he strained his left hamstring. Asked Wednesday night if he's hesitant to dive for balls after Saturday's incident, Cespedes scoffed at the question.

"No, if the chance comes up again where I have to dive, I'll dive and if I get hurt, then I get hurt. That's just what happens," said Cespedes through a translator.

Collins, who went to second base to visit Cespedes after the slugger's second-inning RBI double, said Wednesday night's sultry weather had something to do with Cespedes trying to catch his breath throughout the game. But Collins also said he trusts Cespedes' judgment on defensive plays.

Yoenis Cespedes. (Frank Franklin II/AP)

"I think he knows what he can catch and what he can't. I know he's trying to make sure nothing happens so he stays on the field," said Collins. "Some of those balls, he just said, 'Look, I'm not going to get to them.' It looks like he doesn't go after them hard. He knows how he feels better than anybody.

"There's still that quad issue," added Collins, referring to a past injury of Cespedes', while also adding that he doesn't think Cespedes' hip is 100% healed from Saturday's tumble. "I think he knows that he's just gotta be careful with certain balls. I see him make those plays in left center field that I think are going to be tough plays, and he makes them. We saw what happens when he dives for balls. He's not the best at leaving his feet."

In terms of his peculiar new hairstyle, Cespedes was curt and offered clipped answers when asked about his blue 'do.

"I wanted to," said Cespedes, when asked why he dyed his hair. But Collins was all for the new hair color if it means the slugger's bat is finally coming alive. Cespedes was batting .190 (11-for-58) in his previous 14 games before Wednesday.

"Whatever sparks him, whatever gets him going, I'm all in on it," said Collins. "He hit the ball hard (Wednesday) night. I hope he comes with a different color tomorrow. If we get red-hot, you'll see some more blue hair."